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Strong website structure – the basis of successful SEO
| Guest post by: Jonathan |
Article Overview: Is your website structured properly? We're not really talking graphical web design or WYSIWYG web development here. We're talking structure; the way your website hangs together technically. Its usability, its hierarchy, the user experience and information architecture of your site.
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Free Download - How NOT to SEO your site By Jonathan |
Strong website structure – the basis of successful SEO
Is your website structured properly? We're not really talking graphical web design or WYSIWYG web development here. We're talking structure; the way your website hangs together technically. Its usability, its hierarchy, the user experience and information architecture of your site.
The simple essence of strong website structure is ‘findability'. Does your website adhere to this basic principle or do you still expect search ‘bots and visitors to jump through hoops to get to your killer content? Note this: they won't. Chances are that any obstacles you place either knowingly or unknowingly will be met with a simple shrug of the shoulders and a quick bounce. Here's a rhetorical question for you. What's the point in having your site play host to tons of great content if it can't be found?
Good website structure means happy humans, satisfied spiders and much stronger SEO. Don't build your house on sand.
Here are some of the most important aspects of successful web structure.
Hierarchy
However broad and deep your Internet offering is, try to make sure that pages are never further than a few rational clicks away. Use keyword research to help define the relationships and relevance between your pages logically by category, by type, or by group. Whatever makes hierarchical sense. Know clearly where you are going and how you will get there. Make sure too that you know what your particular users are looking for, what they are expecting hierarchy-wise. If there are conventions or standards that apply to your business sector, then it's best to stick with them.
URL structure
Web page URLs are an important aspect of SEO nowadays. Make them informative and relevant. Google likes websites with keywords present in the URL, and so do web users. Make URLs that are logical and reflect the structure of your site.
Sitemaps
Spiders love XML site maps and will happily route through them indexing all that lovely content. Static site maps and a nice list of navigational links will easily guide your visitors around.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs offer a visual way of following your path through the site hierarchy. Google likes them too and will reward your search positioning.
Page Relevance
Semantic relationships between on-page content components are increasingly important as engines attempt to identify relevance through semantic proximity. Put simply, group related content though your website structure to reinforce relevance. It sounds like the sort of logical thing you would do anyway - footballs next to football boots next to football kits.
But it's surprising how something so obvious can be overlooked so easily. Getting it right from the get go will save you much gnashing of teeth in the future.
Want more advice? Talk to a web structure or SEO expert.
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Article Tags: internet marketing, search engine optimisation, search engine optimization, SEO, web design
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About the Author: Jonathan RSS for Jonathan's articles - Visit Jonathan's website Having over 12 years experience in the IT industry and a qualified MCSE, Jonathan's web design and digital marketing is big on inspiration, big on know how and totally client focused. Whether you are a sole trader or a multi-national Onit Solutions is committed to long term, Internet marketing partnerships, web development and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) that exceeds customer expectations. Considered a leader in the field of organic SEO, Jonathan has an enviable and 100% proven track record of delivering page one positions in major search engines such as Google and Bing. His work wins clients many thousands of new customers and millions of pounds worth of new enquiries and sales. Jonathan is also the founder of the much talked about pixel advertising site, Tired Mouse. His love of internet, advertising and marketing ensures he is always at the forefront of expertly managed and maintained Internet marketing delivering impressive, measurable results. Click here to visit Jonathan's website   Google Caffeine wants a fast web The SEO experts shoes Take stock with an SEO Audit What is Search Engine Optimisation Ecommerce SEO be seen to sell |
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